Hepatitis B antiviral agents

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof:
 
X-A-Y—Z—R  (I)
 
which inhibit the protein(s) encoded by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or interfere with the function of the HBV life cycle of the hepatitis B virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HBV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HBV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/290,241, filed on Feb. 2, 2016 and 62/381,735, filed on Aug. 31, 2016. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to novel antiviral agents. Specifically, the present invention relates to compounds which can inhibit the protein(s) encoded by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or interfere with the function of the HBV life cycle, compositions comprising such compounds, methods for inhibiting HBV viral replication, methods for treating or preventing HBV infection, and processes for making the compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

HBV infection remains a major public health problem, affecting approximately 2 billion people worldwide. Among them, 350 million people worldwide and 1.4 million in the US develop a chronic infection, which can lead to chronic persistent hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Every year 500,000 to 1 million people die from the end stage of liver diseases caused by HBV infection.

Despite the availability of a prophylactic HBV vaccine, the burden of chronic HBV infection continues to be a significant unmet worldwide medical problem, due to suboptimal treatment options and sustained rates of new infections in most parts of the developing world. Current treatments do not provide a cure and are limited to only two classes of agents (interferon and nucleoside analogues/inhibitors of the viral polymerase); drug resistance, low efficacy, and tolerability issues limit their impact. The low cure rates of HBV are attributed at least in part to the presence and persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. However, persistent suppression of HBV DNA slows liver disease progression and helps to prevent HCC. Current therapy goals for HBV-infected patients are directed to reducing serum HBV DNA to low or undetectable levels, and to ultimately reducing or preventing the development of cirrhosis and HCC.

The HBV is an enveloped, partially double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus of the hepadnavirus family (Hepadnaviridae). HBV capsid protein (CP) plays essential roles in HBV replication. The predominant biological function of capsid protein is to act as a structural protein to encapsidate pre-genomic RNA and form immature capsid particles, which spontaneously self-assemble from many copies of core dimers in the cytoplasm. Capsid protein also regulates viral DNA synthesis through different phosphorylation status of its C-terminal phosphorylation sites. Also, capsid protein might facilitate the nuclear translocation of viral relaxed circular genome by means of the nuclear localization signals located in the Arginine-rich domain of the C-terminal region of capsid protein. In the nucleus, as a component of viral cccDNA minichromosome, capsid protein could play a structural and regulatory role in the functionality of cccDNA minichromosomes. Capsid protein also interacts with viral large envelope protein in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and triggers the release of intact viral particles from hepatocytes.

Capsid related anti-HBV inhibitors have been reported. For example, phenylpropen-amide derivatives, including compounds named AT-61 and AT-130 (Feld J. et al. Antiviral Res. 2007, 76, 168), and a class of thiazolidin-4-ones from Valeant (W02006/033995), have been shown to inhibit pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) packaging. Heteroaryldihydropyrimi-dines or HAPs were discovered in a tissue culture-based screening (Weber et al., Antiviral Res. 2002, 54, 69). These HAP analogs act as synthetic allosteric activators and are able to induce aberrant capsid formation that leads to degradation of the core protein. A subclass of sulphamoylarylamides shows activity against HBV (WO2013/006394, WO2013/096744, and WO2014/184365). It was also shown that the small molecule bis-ANS acts as a molecular ‘wedge’ and interferes with normal capsid-protein geometry and capsid formation (Zlotnick A. et al. J. Virol. 2002, 4848).

There is a need in the art for novel therapeutic agents that treat, ameliorate or prevent HBV infection. Administration of these therapeutic agents to an HBV infected patient, either as monotherapy or in combination with other HBV treatments or ancillary treatments, will lead to significantly improved prognosis, diminished progression of the disease, and enhanced seroconversion rates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel antiviral compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, as well as methods to treat or prevent viral (particularly HBV) infection in a subject in need of such therapy with said compounds. Compounds of the present invention inhibit the protein(s) encoded by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or interfere with the life cycle of HBV and are also useful as antiviral agents. In addition, the present invention includes the process for the preparation of the said compounds.

In its principal aspect, the present invention provides a compound of Formula (I): X-A-Y—Z—R  (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

X and Y are each independently selected from optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl;

A is selected from the group consisting of —NHC(O)—,

and an optionally substituted azole group; preferably A is —NHC(O)—, optionally substituted imidazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl or optionally substituted triazolyl;

Alternatively, A and X are taken together to form an optionally substituted fused bicyclic azole group; where said fused bicyclic azole group is connected to Y group via the 5-membered azole moiety; preferably A and X are taken together to form an optionally substituted benzimidazolyl or optionally substituted benzopyrazolyl;

Alternatively, A and Y are taken together to form an optionally substituted fused bicyclic azole group; where said fused bicyclic azole group is connected to X group via the 5-membered azole moiety and is preferably connected to Z via the other ring. Preferably A and Y are taken together to form an optionally substituted benzimidazolyl or optionally substituted benzopyrazolyl;

Z is —S(O)₂—, —C(O)—, or —C(O)C(O)—; and

R is an optionally substituted 5- to 12-membered heterocyclic containing a spiro or bridged ring moiety; where said 5- to 12-membered heterocyclic is connected to Z via a nitrogen atom.

Each preferred group stated above can be taken in combination with one, any or all other preferred groups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention is a compound of Formula (I) as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein one of X and Y is optionally substituted phenyl; In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein both X and Y are optionally substituted phenyl; In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein one of X and Y is optionally substituted phenyl, and the other one of X and Y is optionally substituted 5-membered heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted phenyl. In certain embodiments, X is phenyl substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, optionally substituted C₁-C₄-alkyl and optionally substituted C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl. In certain embodiments, X is phenyl substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl and cyclopropyl. In certain embodiments, X is selected from the groups below:

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted phenyl. In certain embodiments, Y is phenyl substituted with halogen. In certain embodiments, Y is optionally substituted 1,3-phenylene, for example

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted bicyclic heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted bicyclic heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted benzimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl or quinazolyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted thiophenyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted thiazolyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted pyridyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted pyrimidinyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted thiophenyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted thiazolyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted pyrrolyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted pyrazolyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted pyridyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted pyrimidinyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X and Y are each independently optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted phenyl and Y is optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl and Y is optionally substituted phenyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X and Y are each independently phenyl or monocyclic heteroaryl, each optionally substituted with 1- to 3-substituents selected from the group consisting of halo, CN, optionally substituted methyl, optionally substituted methoxy, and optionally substituted cyclopropyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A is —NHC(O)—.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A is —NHC(O)—,

and the nitrogen atom of —NHC(O)—,

is connected to X. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A is —NHC(O)—,

and the nitrogen atom of —NHC(O)—,

is connected to Y.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A is an azole group which contains one, two, three or four nitrogen atoms.

In another particular embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A is an azole group derived from one of the following by removal of two hydrogen atoms:

wherein each of the above shown azole groups is optionally substituted when possible and may be connected to groups X and Y through either carbon or nitrogen.

In certain embodiments, A is selected from the groups set forth below, and can optionally be substituted when possible:

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A is connected to X and Y in meta-substitution position with respect to each other.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A is connected to X and Y in ortho-substitution position with respect to each other.

In another particular embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X and A are taken together to form an optionally substituted fused bicyclic azole group. In certain embodiments, the fused bicyclic azole group is a 5/6-membered fused heteroaryl group, where the 5-membered ring is an azole ring. Preferably this group is connected to Y via an atom of the azole ring.

In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y and A are taken together to form an optionally substituted fused bicyclic azole group. In certain embodiments, the fused bicyclic azole group is a 5/6-membered fused heteroaryl group, where the 5-membered ring is an azole ring. Preferably this group is connected to X via an atom of the azole ring and is connected to Z via an atom of the six-membered ring.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Z is —S(O)₂—. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Z is —C(O)—. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, Z is —C(O)C(O)—.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R is an optionally substituted 5- to 12-membered heterocyclic containing a spiro ring moiety; where said 5- to 12-membered heterocyclic is connected to Z via a nitrogen atom.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R is an optionally substituted 5- to 12-membered heterocyclic containing a bridged ring moiety; where said 5- to 12-membered heterocyclic is connected to Z via a nitrogen atom.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R is:

wherein n at each occurrence is independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3; T at each occurrence is same or different and independently selected from C(R₁₀) or N; E at each occurrence is same or different and independently selected from —C(R₁₀)₂—, —N(R₁₀)—, O or S; wherein R₁₀ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, —CN, —NO₂, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and -L₁-R₁; wherein L₁ is —O—, —S—, —NR₁—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)N(R₁)—, —N(R₁)C(O)—, —OC(O)N(R₁)—, —N(R₁)C(O)O—, —N(R₁)C(O)N(R₁)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O)₂N(R₁)—, —N(R₁)S(O)₂—; R₁ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, L₁ is —O— and R₁ is a hydroxyl protecting group. In certain embodiments, L₁ is —NH— and R₁ is an amino protecting group. In certain embodiments -L₁-R₁ is hydroxyl, protected hydroxyl, amino, protected amino, C₁-C₆-alkoxy or C(O)₂C₁-C₆-alkyl. In certain embodiments, each R₁₀ is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, protected hydroxy, —CN, —NO₂, amino, protected amino, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and —O-(hydroxy prodrug group). In certain embodiments, each R₁₀ is independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, protected hydroxy, —CN, —NO₂, amino, protected amino, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, the hydroxy prodrug group is phosphate or sulfamate. In certain embodiments, the hydroxy prodrug group is an acyl group derived from an amino acid, preferably an α-amino acid. In certain embodiments, two adjacent R₁₀ groups are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form an olefinic double-bond. In certain embodiments, two geminal R₁₀ groups together form an oxo, ═CHR′, optionally substituted spiro-C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, or optionally substituted spiro 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic group, where R′ is hydrogen or alkyl. In certain embodiments, two remote R₁₀ groups are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached and any intervening atoms to form an additional ring, such as an optionally substituted cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl ring.

In certain embodiments, R is selected from the groups set forth below, and can optionally be substituted:

In certain embodiments, R is selected from the groups below, and can optionally be further substituted.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIa) and (IIb), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein one U is NR₁₁, O or S and the others are independently N or CR₁₂, provided that at least one U is N or NR₁₁. R₁₁ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl and optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl; R₁₂ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, —CN, —NO₂, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy and optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl; X, Y, and R are as previously defined. It is to be understood that the definitions of U in any given embodiment are selected such that the ring comprising the three U units is aromatic.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIa-1), (IIa-2), (IIa-3), (IIb-1), (IIb-2) or (IIb-3), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein V is N or CR₁₂; and X, Y, R, R₁₁ and R₁₂ are as previously defined.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIa-1), (IIa-2), (IIa-3), (IIb-1), (IIb-2) or (IIb-3), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein V is N; X, Y, R and R₁₁ are as previously defined.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIa-1), (IIa-2), (IIa-3), (IIb-1), (IIb-2) or (IIb-3), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X and Y are each independently optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl or optionally substituted bicyclic heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIa-1), (IIa-2), (IIa-3), (IIb-1), (IIb-2) or (IIb-3), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, X and Y are each independently optionally substituted phenyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIa-1), (IIa-2), (IIa-3), (IIb-1), (IIb-2) or (IIb-3), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted phenyl and Y is optionally substituted 5-membered heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIa-1), (IIa-2), (IIa-3), (IIb-1), (IIb-2) or (IIb-3), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted 5-membered heteroaryl and Y is optionally substituted phenyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIa-1), (IIa-2), (IIa-3), (IIb-1), (IIb-2) or (IIb-3), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X and Y are each independently optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted thiophenyl, optionally substituted thiazolyl, optionally substituted thiadiazolyl, optionally substituted oxazolyl, optionally substituted isoxazolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyl, optionally substituted imidiazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyl, or optionally substituted quinolinyl.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIa-a), (IIa-b), (IIa-c), (IIb-a), (IIb-b) or (IIb-c), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R₁₄ at each occurrence is independently selected from the groups consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, protected hydroxy, halo, —CN, —NO₂, amino, protected amino, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C(O)₂—C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)NH—C₁-C₆ alkyl, and —C(O)—C₁-C₆ alkyl; and V and R are as previously defined.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIIa), (IIIb), (IIIc) or (IIId), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein one Q is NR₁₁, O, or S and the other Q is N or CR₁₂, provided that at least one Q is N or NR₁₁ and that Q is C or N when attached to Y ((IIIa) and (IIIb)); W at each occurrence is independently N or CR₁₄, provided W is C when attached to the carbonyl group (IIId) or the sulfonyl group (IIIc); X, Y, R, R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₄ are as previously defined; provided that in (IIIc) and (IIId) R₁₄ can be replaced with the bond to the sulfonyl group or the carbonyl group respectively.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIIa-1), (IIIb-1), (IIIc-1) or (IIId-1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein Q is N or CR₁₂, provided that in (IIIa-1) and (IIIb-1), Q is C when attached to Y; in (IIIc-1) and (IIId-1) R₁₁ can be replaced with the bond to X; W, X, Y, R, R₁₁, and R₁₄ are as previously defined; provided that in (IIIc-1) and (IIId-1) R₁₄ can be replaced with the bond to the sulfonyl group or the carbonyl group respectively.

It is to be understood that in in Formulas (Ma), (IIIb), (IIIc), (IIId), (IIIa-1), (IIIb-1), (IIIc-1), and (IIId-1), the ring containing the W groups and the ring containing the Q group(s) are both aromatic.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIIa-1), (IIIb-1), (IIIc-1) or (IIId-1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q is N; W, X, Y, R, R₁₁, and R₁₄ are as previously defined.

In some embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIIa-1), (IIIb-1), (IIIc-1) or (IIId-1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X and Y are each independently optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl or optionally substituted bicyclic heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIIa-1), or (IIIb-1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, Y is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted thiophenyl, optionally substituted thiazolyl, optionally substituted thiadiazolyl, optionally substituted oxazolyl, optionally substituted isoxazolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyl, optionally substituted imidiazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyl, or optionally substituted quinolinyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIIc-1), or (IIId-1), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted thiophenyl, optionally substituted thiazolyl, optionally substituted thiadiazolyl, optionally substituted oxazolyl, optionally substituted isoxazolyl, optionally substituted oxadiazolyl, optionally substituted imidiazolyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyl, or optionally substituted quinolinyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIIa-1), or (IIIb-1), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y is optionally substituted phenyl.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) represented by Formula (IIIc-1), or (IIId-1), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is optionally substituted phenyl.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IIIa-a), (IIIb-a), (IIIc-a) or (IIId-a), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein Q is N or CR₁₂; R, R₁₂, R₁₄, and m are as previously defined.

In still another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X-A-Y are taken together to form a polycyclic system selected from the following:

wherein each of the above shown core groups is optionally substituted.

In still another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X-A-Y is taken together to form a polycyclic system selected from the following:

wherein each of the above shown core groups is optionally substituted.

In still another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X-A-Y are taken together to form a polycyclic system selected from the following:

wherein each of the above shown core groups is optionally substituted.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IVa), (IVb), (IVc), (IVd), (IVe) or (IVf), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein X, Y, and R are as previously defined.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (IVa-1), (IVa-2), or (IVa-3), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R and R₁₄ are as previously defined.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (Va-1), (Va-2), (Vb-1), (Vb-2), (Vc-1), (Vc-2), (Vd-1), or (Vd-2), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; n at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3; and E, T, V and R₁₀ are as previously defined.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (Va-a), (Va-b), (Vb-a), (Vb-b), (Vc-a), (Vc-b), (Vd-a), or (Vd-b), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m1 at each occurrence is independently 1, 2, or 3; m2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, or 2; m3 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3; t at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, or 2; R₂₁ is halo, CN, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy, and optionally substituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl; R₂₂ is halo, CN, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, and optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy; R₂₃ is halo, hydroxy, protected hydroxy, —CN, amino, protected amino, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and —O-(hydroxy prodrug group); E is as previously defined.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (VIa), (VIb), (VIc), or (VId), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m1 at each occurrence is independently 1, 2, or 3; m2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1 or 2; n1 at each occurrence is independently 0 or 1; n2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1 or 2; R₃₀ is hydrogen, a hydroxy protecting group or a hydroxy prodrug group; R₂₁ and R₂₂ are as previously defined. In certain embodiments, R₃₀ is phosphate or sulfamate. In certain embodiments, R₃₀ is acyl group derived from an amino acid.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (VIa), (VIb), (VIc), or (VId), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein m1 at each occurrence is independently 1, 2, or 3; m2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1 or 2; m3 at each occurrence is independently 1, 2, or 3; n1 at each occurrence is independently 0 or 1; n2 at each occurrence is independently 1 or 2; R₂₁ is halo, CN, optionally substituted methyl, optionally substituted methoxy, and optionally substituted cyclopropyl; R₂₂ is halo, CN, optionally substituted methyl, and optionally substituted methoxy; R₃₀ is an acyl group derived from an amino acid. In certain embodiments, R₃₀ is an acyl group derived from a branched amino acid. In certain embodiments, R₃₀ is an acyl group derived from alanine or valine.

In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) is represented by Formula (VII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m1 at each occurrence is independently 1, 2, or 3; m2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1 or 2; n1 at each occurrence is independently 0 or 1; n2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1 or 2; R₃₁ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, —CN, —NO₂, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and -L₁-R₁; wherein L₁ is —O—, —S—, —NR₁—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)N(R₁)—, —N(R₁)C(O)—, —OC(O)N(R₁)—, —N(R₁)C(O)O—, —N(R₁)C(O)N(R₁)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O)₂N(R₁)—, —N(R₁)S(O)₂—; R₁ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl; alternatively, two R₃₁ groups are taken together with the carbon to which they are attached to form an oxo or optionally substituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl or optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic; R₂₁ and R₂₂ are as previously defined.

It will be appreciated that the description of the present invention herein should be construed in congruity with the laws and principles of chemical bonding. In some instances, it may be necessary to remove a hydrogen atom in order to accommodate a substituent at any given location.

It will be yet appreciated that the compounds of the present invention may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and may exist in racemic, diastereoisomeric, and optically active forms. It will still be appreciated that certain compounds of the present invention may exist in different tautomeric forms. All tautomers are contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention.

In one aspect, the compounds of the invention are useful in HBV treatment by disrupting, accelerating, reducing, delaying and/or inhibiting normal viral capsid assembly and/or disassembly of immature or mature particles, thereby inducing aberrant capsid morphology and leading to antiviral effects such as disruption of virion assembly and/or disassembly, virion maturation, and/or virus egress. In one embodiment, a disruptor of capsid assembly interacts with mature or immature viral capsid to perturb the stability of the capsid, thus affecting assembly and/or disassembly. In another embodiment, a disruptor of capsid assembly perturbs protein folding and/or salt bridges required for stability, function and/or normal morphology of the viral capsid, thereby disrupting and/or accelerating capsid assembly and/or disassembly. In yet another embodiment, the compounds of the invention bind capsid and alter metabolism of cellular polyproteins and precursors, leading to abnormal accumulation of protein monomers and/or oligomers and/or abnormal particles, which causes cellular toxicity and death of infected cells. In another embodiment, the compounds of the invention cause failure of the formation of capsid of optimal stability, affecting efficient uncoating and/or disassembly of viruses (e.g., during infectivity).

In one embodiment, the compounds of the invention disrupt and/or accelerate capsid assembly and/or disassembly when the capsid protein is immature. In another embodiment, the compounds of the invention disrupt and/or accelerate capsid assembly and/or disassembly when the capsid protein is mature. In yet another embodiment, the compounds of the invention disrupt and/or accelerate capsid assembly and/or disassembly during viral infectivity. In yet another embodiment, the disruption and/or acceleration of capsid assembly and/or disassembly attenuates HBV viral infectivity and/or reduces viral load. In yet another embodiment, disruption, acceleration, inhibition, delay and/or reduction of capsid assembly and/or disassembly eradicates the virus from the host organism. In yet another embodiment, eradication of the HBV from a host advantageously obviates the need for chronic long-term therapy and/or reduces the duration of long-term therapy.

In one embodiment, the compounds described herein are suitable for monotherapy and are effective against natural or native HBV strains and against HBV strains resistant to currently known drugs. In another embodiment, the compounds described herein are suitable for use in combination therapy.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the invention can be used in methods of modulating (e.g., inhibit, disrupt or accelerate) the activity of HBV cccDNA. In yet another embodiment, the compounds of the invention can be used in methods of diminishing or preventing the formation of HBV cccDNA. In another embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent is selected from immune modulator or immune stimulator therapies, which includes T-cell response activator AIC649 and biological agents belonging to the interferon class, such as interferon alpha 2a or 2b or modified interferons such as pegylated interferon, alpha 2a, alpha 2b, lamda; or TLR modulators such as TLR-7 agonists or TLR-9 agonists; or therapeutic vaccines to stimulate an HBV-specific immune response such as virus-like particles composed of HBcAg and HBsAg, immune complexes of HBsAg and HBsAb, or recombinant proteins comprising HBx, HBsAg and HBcAg in the context of a yeast vector; or immunity activator such as SB-9200 of certain cellular viral RNA sensors such as RIG-I, NOD2, and MDA5 protein, or RNA interence (RNAi) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) such as ARC-520, ARC-521, ARB-1467, and ALN-HBV RNAi, or antiviral agents that block viral entry or maturation or target the HBV polymerase such as nucleoside or nucleotide or non-nucleos(t)ide polymerase inhibitors, and agents of distinct or unknown mechanism including agents that disrupt the function of other essential viral protein(s) or host proteins required for HBV replication or persistence such as REP 2139. In an embodiment of the combination therapy, the reverse transcriptase inhibitor is at least one of Zidovudine, Didanosine, Zalcitabine, ddA, Stavudine, Lamivudine, Aba-cavir, Emtricitabine, Entecavir, Apricitabine, Atevirapine, ribavirin, acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, valganciclovir, Tenofovir, Adefovir, PMPA, cidofovir, Efavirenz, Nevirapine, Delavirdine, or Etravirine.

In another embodiment of the combination therapy, the TLR-7 agonist is selected from the group consisting of SM360320 (9-benzyl-8-hydroxy-2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)ad-enine), AZD 8848 (methyl [3-({[3-(6-amino-2-butoxy-8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-9H-purin-9-yl)propyl][3-(4-morpholinyl) propyl]amino Imethyl)phenyl]acetate), GS-9620 (4-Amino-2-butoxy-8-[3-(1-pyrrolidinylmethyl)benzyl]-7,8-dihydro-6(5H)-pteridinone), and RO6864018.

In an embodiment of these combination therapies, the compound and the additional therapeutic agent are co-formulated. In another embodiment, the compound and the additional therapeutic agent are co-administered.

In another embodiment of the combination therapy, administering the compound of the invention allows for administering of the additional therapeutic agent at a lower dose or frequency as compared to the administering of the at least one additional therapeutic agent alone that is required to achieve similar results in prophylactically treating an HBV infection in an individual in need thereof.

In another embodiment of the combination therapy, before administering the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of the invention, the individual is known to be refractory to a compound selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, distinct capsid assembly modulator, antiviral compounds of distinct or unknown mechanism, and combination thereof.

In still another embodiment of the method, administering the compound of the invention reduces viral load in the individual to a greater extent compared to the administering of a compound selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, distinct capsid assembly modulator, antiviral compounds of distinct or unknown mechanism, and combination thereof.

In another embodiment, administering of the compound of the invention causes a lower incidence of viral mutation and/or viral resistance than the administering of a compound selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, distinct capsid assembly modulator, antiviral compounds of distinct or unknown mechanism, and combination thereof.

It should be understood that the compounds encompassed by the present invention are those that are suitably stable for use as pharmaceutical agent.

Definitions

Listed below are definitions of various terms used to describe this invention. These definitions apply to the terms as they are used throughout this specification and claims, unless otherwise limited in specific instances, either individually or as part of a larger group.

The term “aryl,” as used herein, refers to a mono- or polycyclic carbocyclic ring system comprising at least one aromatic ring, including, but not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, and indenyl. A polycyclic aryl is a polycyclic ring system that comprises at least one aromatic ring. Polycyclic aryls can comprise fused rings, covalently attached rings or a combination thereof.

The term “heteroaryl,” as used herein, refers to a mono- or polycyclic aromatic radical having one or more ring atom selected from S, O and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon, wherein any N or S contained within the ring may be optionally oxidized. Heteroaryl includes, but is not limited to, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, quinoxalinyl. A polycyclic heteroaryl can comprise fused rings, covalently attached rings or a combination thereof.

In accordance with the invention, aromatic groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

The term “bicyclic aryl” or “bicyclic heteroaryl” refers to a ring system consisting of two rings wherein at least one ring is aromatic; and the two rings can be fused or covalently attached.

The term “azole group,” as used herein, refers to 5-membered heteroaromatic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom. Preferred azole groups contain a nitrogen atom and at least one additional heteroatom, preferably a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom. Azole groups include, but are not limited to pyrazole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, isoxazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, tetrazole. An azole group is termed “ortho” substituted in reference to two substituents which are on adjacent ring atoms. An azole group is termed “meta” substituted in reference to two substituents which are not on adjacent ring positions. An “azolyl” group is a univalent or bivalent group derived from an azole group by removal of one or two hydrogen atoms. Azolyl groups include, but are not limited to, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, tetrazolyl.

The term “bicyclic azole” or “bicyclic azole group” refers to an aromatic ring system consisting of two rings wherein at least one ring is azole group; and the two rings can be fused or covalently attached. Preferred bicyclic azole groups are those in which an azole ring is fused to a six-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring. Such groups include, but are not limited to, benzimidazole, benzopyrazole, benzotriazole, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole benzothiazole, imidazolopyridine, pyrazolopyridine, thiazolopyridine, oxazolopyridine, isoxazolopyridine, triazolopyridine, and tetrazolopyridine. A bicyclic azolyl group is a univalent or bivalent group derived from a biclyclic azole group by removal of one or two hydrogen atoms. Such groups include, but are not limited to, benzimidazolyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, imidazolopyridyl, pyrazolopyridyl, thiazolopyridyl, oxazolopyridyl, isoxazolopyridyl, triazolopyridyl, and tetrazolopyridyl. A univalent bicyclic azolyl group can be derived from the corresponding bicyclic azole group by removal of a hydrogen atom from either ring. A bivalent bicyclic azolyl group can be derived from the corresponding bicyclic azole group by removal of two hydrogen atoms from the same ring or one hydrogen atom from each ring.

The term “alkyl” as used herein, refers to saturated, straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon radicals. “C₁-C₄ alkyl,” “C₁-C₆ alkyl,” “C₁-C₈ alkyl,” “C₂-C₄ alkyl,” or “C₃-C₆ alkyl,” refer to alkyl groups containing from one to four, one to six, one to eight carbon atoms, 2 to 4 and 3 to 6 carbon atoms respectively. Examples of C₁-C₈ alkyl radicals include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, heptyl and octyl radicals.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein, refers to straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon radicals having at least one carbon-carbon double bond by the removal of a single hydrogen atom. “C₂-C₈ alkenyl,” “C₂-C₄ alkenyl,” “C₃-C₄ alkenyl,” or “C₃-C₆ alkenyl,” refer to alkenyl groups containing from two to eight, two to four, three to four or three to six carbon atoms respectively. Alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, 1-methyl-2-buten-1-yl, heptenyl, octenyl, and the like.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein, refers to straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon radicals having at least one carbon-carbon double bond by the removal of a single hydrogen atom. “C₂-C₈ alkynyl,” “C₂-C₄ alkynyl,” “C₃-C₄ alkynyl,” or “C₃-C₆ alkynyl,” refer to alkynyl groups containing from two to eight, two to four, three to four or three to six carbon atoms respectively. Representative alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, for example, ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 1-butynyl, heptynyl, octynyl, and the like.

The term “cycloalkyl”, as used herein, refers to a monocyclic or polycyclic saturated carbocyclic ring compound, and the carbon atoms may be optionally oxo-substituted. Preferred cycloalkyl groups include C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl and C₄-C₇ cycloalkyl. Examples of C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl include, but not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl and cyclooctyl; and examples of C₄-C₇ cycloalkyl include, but are not limited to, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclo [2.2.1] heptyl, and the like.

The term “cycloalkenyl”, as used herein, refers to monocyclic or polycyclic carbocyclic ring compound having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and the carbon atoms may be optionally oxo-substituted. Preferred cycloalkenyl groups include C₃-C₈ cycloalkenyl or C₅-C₇ cycloalkenyl groups. Examples of C₃-C₈ cycloalkenyl include, but not limited to, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctenyl, and the like; and examples of C₅-C₇ cycloalkenyl include, but not limited to, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “arylalkyl” means a functional group wherein an alkylene chain is attached to an aryl group, e.g., —CH₂CH₂-phenyl. The term “substituted arylalkyl” means an arylalkyl functional group in which the aryl group is substituted. Similarly, the term “heteroarylalkyl” means a functional group wherein an alkylene chain is attached to a heteroaryl group. The term “substituted heteroarylalkyl” means a heteroarylalkyl functional group in which the heteroaryl group is substituted.

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” employed alone or in combination with other terms means, unless otherwise stated, an alkyl group having the designated number of carbon atoms connected to the rest of the molecule via an oxygen atom, such as, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, 1-propoxy, 2-propoxy (isopropoxy) and the higher homologs and isomers. Preferred alkoxy are (C₁-C₃) alkoxy.

It is understood that any alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic and cycloalkenyl moiety described herein can also be an aliphatic group or an alicyclic group.

An “aliphatic” group is a non-aromatic moiety comprised of any combination of carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, oxygen, nitrogen or other atoms, and optionally contains one or more units of unsaturation, e.g., double and/or triple bonds. Examples of aliphatic groups are functional groups, such as alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, O, OH, NH, NH₂, C(O), S(O)₂, C(O)O, C(O)NH, OC(O)O, OC(O)NH, OC(O)NH₂, S(O)₂NH, S(O)₂NH₂, NHC(O)NH₂, NHC(O)C(O)NH, NHS(O)₂NH, NHS(O)₂NH₂, C(O)NHS(O)₂, C(O)NHS(O)₂NH or C(O)NHS(O)₂NH₂, and the like, groups comprising one or more functional groups, non-aromatic hydrocarbons (optionally substituted), and groups wherein one or more carbons of a non-aromatic hydrocarbon (optionally substituted) is replaced by a functional group. Carbon atoms of an aliphatic group can be optionally oxo-substituted. An aliphatic group may be straight chained, branched, cyclic, or a combination thereof and preferably contains between about 1 and about 24 carbon atoms, more typically between about 1 and about 12 carbon atoms. In addition to aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, as used herein, aliphatic groups expressly include, for example, alkoxyalkyls, polyalkoxyalkyls, such as polyalkylene glycols, polyamines, and polyimines, for example. Aliphatic groups may be optionally substituted.

The terms “heterocyclic” or “heterocycloalkyl” can be used interchangeably and referred to a non-aromatic ring or a bi- or tri-cyclic group fused, bridged or spiro system, where (i) each ring system contains at least one heteroatom independently selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, (ii) each ring system can be saturated or unsaturated (iii) the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized, (iv) the nitrogen heteroatom may optionally be quaternized, (v) any of the above rings may be fused to an aromatic ring, and (vi) the remaining ring atoms are carbon atoms which may be optionally oxo-substituted. Representative heterocycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, 1,3-dioxolane, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, quinoxalinyl, pyridazinonyl, 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 5-azaspiro[2.5]octyl, 1-oxa-7-azaspiro[4.4]nonanyl, and tetrahydrofuryl. Such heterocyclic groups may be further substituted. Heteroaryl or heterocyclic groups can be C-attached or N-attached (where possible).

It is understood that any alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alicyclic, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, aliphatic moiety or the like, described herein can also be a divalent or multivalent group when used as a linkage to connect two or more groups or substituents, which can be at the same or different atom(s). One of skill in the art can readily determine the valence of any such group from the context in which it occurs.

The term “substituted” refers to substitution by independent replacement of one, two, or three or more of the hydrogen atoms with substituents including, but not limited to, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —OH, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl; C₂-C₁₂-alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂-alkynyl, protected hydroxy, —NO₂, —N₃, —CN, —NH₂, protected amino, oxo, thioxo, —NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NH-aryl, —NH-heteroaryl, —NH-heterocycloalkyl, -dialkylamino, -diarylamino, -diheteroarylamino, —O—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —O—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —O—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —O—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —O-aryl, —O-heteroaryl, —O-heterocycloalkyl, —C(O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —C(O)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —C(O)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —C(O)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —C(O)-aryl, —C(O)-heteroaryl, —C(O)-heterocycloalkyl, —CONH₂, —CONH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —CONH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —CONH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —CONH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —CONH-aryl, —CONH-heteroaryl, —CONH-heterocycloalkyl, —OCO₂—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —OCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —OCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —OCO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —OCO₂-aryl, —OCO₂-heteroaryl, —OCO₂-heterocycloalkyl, —CO₂—C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, —CO₂—C₂-C₈ alkenyl, —CO₂—C₂-C₈ alkynyl, CO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —CO₂-aryl, CO₂-heteroaryl, CO₂-heterocyloalkyl, —OCONH₂, —OCONH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —OCONH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —OCONH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —OCONH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —OCONH-aryl, —OCONH-heteroaryl, —OCONH-heterocyclo-alkyl, —NHC(O)H, —NHC(O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(O)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(O)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(O)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(O)-aryl, —NHC(O)-heteroaryl, —NHC(O)-heterocyclo-alkyl, —NHCO₂—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHCO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHCO₂-aryl, —NHCO₂-heteroaryl, —NHCO₂—heterocycloalkyl, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(O)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(O)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(O)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(O)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(O)NH-aryl, —NHC(O)NH-heteroaryl, —NHC(O)NH-heterocycloalkyl, NHC(S)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(S)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(S)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(S)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(S)NH-aryl, —NHC(S)NH-heteroaryl, —NHC(S)NH-heterocycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)NH₂, —NHC(NH)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(NH)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)NH-aryl, —NHC(NH)NH—heteroaryl, —NHC(NH)NH-heterocycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(NH)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(NH)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(NH)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)-aryl, —NHC(NH)-heteroaryl, —NHC(NH)-heterocycloalkyl, —C(NH)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —C(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —C(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —C(NH)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —C(NH)NH-aryl, —C(NH)NH-heteroaryl, —C(NH)NH-heterocycloalkyl, —S(O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —S(O)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —S(O)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —S(O)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —S(O)-aryl, —S(O)-heteroaryl, —S(O)—heterocycloalkyl, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —SO₂NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —SO₂NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —SO₂NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —SO₂NH-aryl, —SO₂NH-heteroaryl, —SO₂NH-heterocycloalkyl, —NHSO₂—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHSO₂—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHSO₂—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHSO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHSO₂-aryl, —NHSO₂-heteroaryl, —NHSO₂-heterocycloalkyl, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂SO₂CH₃, -aryl, -arylalkyl, -heteroaryl, -heteroarylalkyl, -heterocycloalkyl, —C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl, polyalkoxy, -methoxymethoxy, -methoxyethoxy, —SH, —S—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —S—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —S—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —S—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —S-aryl, —S—heteroaryl, —S-heterocycloalkyl, or methylthio-methyl. It is understood that the aryls, heteroaryls, alkyls, cycloalkyls and the like can be further substituted.

The term “halo” or “halogen” alone or as part of another substituent, as used herein, refers to a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom.

The term “optionally substituted”, as used herein, means that the referenced group may be substituted or unsubstituted. In one embodiment, the referenced group is optionally substituted with zero substituents, i.e., the referenced group is unsubstituted. In another embodiment, the referenced group is optionally substituted with one or more additional group(s) individually and independently selected from groups described herein.

The term “hydrogen” includes hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the recitation of an atom includes other isotopes of that atom so long as the resulting compound is pharmaceutically acceptable.

The term “hydroxy activating group,” as used herein, refers to a labile chemical moiety which is known in the art to activate a hydroxyl group so that it will depart during synthetic procedures such as in a substitution or an elimination reaction. Examples of hydroxyl activating group include, but not limited to, mesylate, tosylate, triflate, p-nitrobenzoate, phosphonate and the like.

The term “activated hydroxyl,” as used herein, refers to a hydroxy group activated with a hydroxyl activating group, as defined above, including mesylate, tosylate, triflate, p-nitrobenzoate, phosphonate groups, for example.

The term “hydroxy protecting group,” as used herein, refers to a labile chemical moiety which is known in the art to protect a hydroxyl group against undesired reactions during synthetic procedures. After said synthetic procedure(s) the hydroxy protecting group as described herein may be selectively removed. Hydroxy protecting groups as known in the art are described generally in T. H. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1999). Examples of hydroxyl protecting groups include benzyloxycarbonyl, 4-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butoxy-carbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, diphenylmethoxycarbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, acetyl, formyl, chloroacetyl, trifluoroacetyl, methoxyacetyl, phenoxyacetyl, benzoyl, methyl, t-butyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-trimethylsilyl ethyl, allyl, benzyl, triphenyl-methyl (trityl), methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, benzyloxymethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)-ethoxymethyl, methanesulfonyl, trimethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, and the like.

The term “protected hydroxy,” as used herein, refers to a hydroxy group protected with a hydroxy protecting group, as defined above, including benzoyl, acetyl, trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, methoxymethyl groups, for example.

The term “hydroxy prodrug group,” as used herein, refers to a promoiety group which is known in the art to change the physicochemical, and hence the biological properties of a parent drug in a transient manner by covering or masking the hydroxy group. After said synthetic procedure(s), the hydroxy prodrug group as described herein must be capable of reverting back to hydroxy group in vivo. Hydroxy prodrug groups as known in the art are described generally in Kenneth B. Sloan, Prodrugs, Topical and Ocular Drug Delivery, (Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences; Volume 53), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York (1992) and in “Prodrugs of Alcohols and Phenols” by S. S. Dhareshwar and V. J. Stella, in Prodrugs Challenges and Rewards Part-2, (Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Aspects), edited by V. J. Stella, et al, Springer and AAPSPress, 2007, pp 31-99.

The term “amino protecting group,” as used herein, refers to a labile chemical moiety which is known in the art to protect an amino group against undesired reactions during synthetic procedures. After said synthetic procedure(s) the amino protecting group as described herein may be selectively removed. Amino protecting groups as known in the art are described generally in T. H. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1999). Examples of amino protecting groups include, but are not limited to, methoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like.

The term “protected amino,” as used herein, refers to an amino group protected with an amino protecting group as defined above.

The term “amino acid” refers to naturally occurring and synthetic α,β, γ, or δ amino acids, and includes but is not limited to, amino acids found in proteins or intermediates in metabolism of amino acids or proteins, i.e. glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, proline, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartate, glutamate, lysine, citrulline, arginine and histidine. In certain embodiments, the amino acid is in the L-configuration. In certain embodiments, the amino acid is in the D-configuration. In certain embodiments, the amino acid is provided as a substituent of a compound described herein, wherein the amino acid is a residue selected from the group consisting of alanyl, valinyl, leucinyl, isoleuccinyl, prolinyl, phenylalaninyl, tryptophanyl, methioninyl, glycinyl, serinyl, threoninyl, cysteinyl, tyrosinyl, asparaginyl, glutaminyl, aspartoyl, glutaroyl, lysinyl, argininyl, histidinyl, β-alanyl, β-valinyl, β-leucinyl, β-isoleuccinyl, β-prolinyl, β-phenylalaninyl, β-tryptophanyl, β-methioninyl, β-glycinyl, β-serinyl, β-threoninyl, β-cysteinyl, β-tyrosinyl, β-asparaginyl, β-glutaminyl, β-aspartoyl, β-glutaroyl, β-lysinyl, β-argininyl and β-histidinyl.

The term “amino acid derivative” refers to a group derivable from a naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid, as described and exemplified herein. Amino acid derivatives are apparent to those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to, ester, amino alcohol, amino aldehyde, amino lactone, and N-methyl derivatives of naturally and non-naturally occurring amino acids. In an embodiment, an amino acid derivative is provided as a substituent of a compound described herein, wherein the substituent is —NR^(u)-G(S_(c))—C(O)-Q¹, wherein Q¹ is —S^(v), —NR^(v)R^(v) or alkoxyl, R^(v) is hydrogen or alkyl, S_(c) is a side-chain of a naturally occurring or non-naturally occurring amino acid, G is C₁-C₂ alkyl, and R^(u) is hydrogen; or R^(u) and S^(c) are taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form a five-membered heterocyclic ring. In an embodiment, an amino acid derivative is provided as a substituent of a compound described herein, wherein the substituent is —O—C(O)-G(S^(c))—NH-Q², wherein Q² is hydrogen or alkoxyl, S^(c) is a side-chain of a naturally occurring or non-naturally occurring amino acid and G is C₁-C₂ alkyl. In certain embodiments, Q² and S^(c) are taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form a five-membered heterocyclic ring. In certain embodiments, G is an optionally substituted methylene and S^(c) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, arylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, carboxylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxylalkyl, aminoiminoaminoalkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, sulfanylalkyl, carbamoylalkyl, alkylsulfanylalkyl and hydroxylarylalkyl. In an embodiment, an amino acid derivative is provided as a substituent of a compound described herein, wherein the amino acid derivative is in the D-configuration. In an embodiment, an amino acid derivative is provided as a substituent of a compound described herein, wherein the amino acid derivative is in the L-configuration.

The term “leaving group” means a functional group or atom which can be displaced by another functional group or atom in a substitution reaction, such as a nucleophilic substitution reaction. By way of example, representative leaving groups include chloro, bromo and iodo groups; sulfonic ester groups, such as mesylate, tosylate, brosylate, nosylate and the like; and acyloxy groups, such as acetoxy, trifluoroacetoxy and the like.

The term “aprotic solvent,” as used herein, refers to a solvent that is relatively inert to proton activity, i.e., not acting as a proton-donor. Examples include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbons, such as hexane and toluene, for example, halogenated hydrocarbons, such as, for example, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, chloroform, and the like, heterocyclic compounds, such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran and N-methylpyrrolidinone, and ethers such as diethyl ether, bis-methoxymethyl ether. Such compounds are well known to those skilled in the art, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that individual solvents or mixtures thereof may be preferred for specific compounds and reaction conditions, depending upon such factors as the solubility of reagents, reactivity of reagents and preferred temperature ranges, for example. Further discussions of aprotic solvents may be found in organic chemistry textbooks or in specialized monographs, for example: Organic Solvents Physical Properties and Methods of Purification, 4th ed., edited by John A. Riddick et al., Vol. II, in the Techniques of Chemistry Series, John Wiley & Sons, N Y, 1986.

The term “protic solvent,” as used herein, refers to a solvent that tends to provide protons, such as an alcohol, for example, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, t-butanol, and the like. Such solvents are well known to those skilled in the art, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that individual solvents or mixtures thereof may be preferred for specific compounds and reaction conditions, depending upon such factors as the solubility of reagents, reactivity of reagents and preferred temperature ranges, for example. Further discussions of protogenic solvents may be found in organic chemistry textbooks or in specialized monographs, for example: Organic Solvents Physical Properties and Methods of Purification, 4th ed., edited by John A. Riddick et al., Vol. II, in the Techniques of Chemistry Series, John Wiley & Sons, N Y, 1986.

Combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this invention are only those that result in the formation of stable compounds. The term “stable,” as used herein, refers to compounds which possess stability sufficient to allow manufacture and which maintains the integrity of the compound for a sufficient period of time to be useful for the purposes detailed herein (e.g., therapeutic or prophylactic administration to a subject).

The synthesized compounds can be separated from a reaction mixture and further purified by a method such as column chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, or recrystallization. As can be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further methods of synthesizing the compounds of the Formula herein will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the various synthetic steps may be performed in an alternate sequence or order to give the desired compounds. Synthetic chemistry transformations and protecting group methodologies (protection and deprotection) useful in synthesizing the compounds described herein are known in the art and include, for example, those such as described in R. Larock, Comprehensive Organic Transformations, 2^(nd) Ed. Wiley-VCH (1999); T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and Sons (1999); L. Fieser and M. Fieser, Fieser and Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons (1994); and L. Paquette, ed., Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons (1995), and subsequent editions thereof.

The term “subject,” as used herein, refers to an animal. Preferably, the animal is a mammal. More preferably, the mammal is a human. A subject also refers to, for example, dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, guinea pigs, fish, birds and the like.

The compounds of this invention may be modified by appending appropriate functionalities to enhance selective biological properties. Such modifications are known in the art and may include those which increase biological penetration into a given biological system (e.g., blood, lymphatic system, central nervous system), increase oral availability, increase solubility to allow administration by injection, alter metabolism and alter rate of excretion.

The compounds described herein contain one or more asymmetric centers and thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)-, or as (D)- or (L)- for amino acids. The present invention is meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms. Optical isomers may be prepared from their respective optically active precursors by the procedures described above, or by resolving the racemic mixtures. The resolution can be carried out in the presence of a resolving agent, by chromatography or by repeated crystallization or by some combination of these techniques which are known to those skilled in the art. Further details regarding resolutions can be found in Jacques, et al., Enantiomers, Racemates, and Resolutions (John Wiley & Sons, 1981). When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds, other unsaturation, or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers or cis- and trans-isomers. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included. Tautomers may be in cyclic or acyclic. The configuration of any carbon-carbon double bond appearing herein is selected for convenience only and is not intended to designate a particular configuration unless the text so states; thus a carbon-carbon double bond or carbon-heteroatom double bond depicted arbitrarily herein as trans may be cis, trans, or a mixture of the two in any proportion.

Certain compounds of the present invention may also exist in different stable conformational forms which may be separable. Torsional asymmetry due to restricted rotation about an asymmetric single bond, for example because of steric hindrance or ring strain, may permit separation of different conformers. The present invention includes each conformational isomer of these compounds and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt,” refers to those salts which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. For example, S. M. Berge, et al. describes pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977). The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds of the invention, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the art such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentane-propionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable ester” refers to esters which hydrolyze in vivo and include those that break down readily in the human body to leave the parent compound or a salt thereof. Suitable ester groups include, for example, those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable aliphatic carboxylic acids, particularly alkanoic, alkenoic, cycloalkanoic and alkanedioic acids, in which each alkyl or alkenyl moiety advantageously has not more than 6 carbon atoms. Examples of particular esters include, but are not limited to, esters of C₁-C₆-alkanoic acids, such as acetate, propionate, butyrate and pivalate esters.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention formulated together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient” means a non-toxic, inert solid, semi-solid or liquid filler, diluent, encapsulating material or formulation auxiliary of any type. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols such as propylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an implanted reservoir, preferably by oral administration or administration by injection. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may contain any conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, adjuvants or vehicles. In some cases, the pH of the formulation may be adjusted with pharmaceutically acceptable acids, bases or buffers to enhance the stability of the formulated compound or its delivery form. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intra-arterial, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions, may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectable.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is often desirable to slow the absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolution, which, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered drug form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the drug in an oil vehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsule matrices of the drug in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of drug to polymer and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions that are compatible with body tissues.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of this invention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or: a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegrating agents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound of this invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active component is admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required. Ophthalmic formulation, ear drops, eye ointments, powders and solutions are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention.

The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to an active compound of this invention, excipients such as animal and vegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.

Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to the compounds of this invention, excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicates and polyamide powder, or mixtures of these substances. Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants such as chlorofluorohydrocarbons.

Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispensing the compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

For pulmonary delivery, a therapeutic composition of the invention is formulated and administered to the patient in solid or liquid particulate form by direct administration e.g., inhalation into the respiratory system. Solid or liquid particulate forms of the active compound prepared for practicing the present invention include particles of respirable size: that is, particles of a size sufficiently small to pass through the mouth and larynx upon inhalation and into the bronchi and alveoli of the lungs. Delivery of aerosolized therapeutics, particularly aerosolized antibiotics, is known in the art (see, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,068 to Van Devanter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,269 to Smith et al., and WO 98/43650 by Montgomery, all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

Antiviral Activity

An inhibitory amount or dose of the compounds of the present invention may range from about 0.01 mg/Kg to about 500 mg/Kg, alternatively from about 1 to about 50 mg/Kg. Inhibitory amounts or doses will also vary depending on route of administration, as well as the possibility of co-usage with other agents.

According to the methods of treatment of the present invention, viral infections, conditions are treated or prevented in a patient such as a human or another animal by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, in such amounts and for such time as is necessary to achieve the desired result.

By a “therapeutically effective amount” of a compound of the invention is meant an amount of the compound which confers a therapeutic effect on the treated subject, at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to any medical treatment. The therapeutic effect may be objective (i.e., measurable by some test or marker) or subjective (i.e., subject gives an indication of or feels an effect). An effective amount of the compound described above may range from about 0.1 mg/Kg to about 500 mg/Kg, preferably from about 1 to about 50 mg/Kg. Effective doses will also vary depending on route of administration, as well as the possibility of co-usage with other agents. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the compounds and compositions of the present invention will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specific therapeutically effective dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of the specific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or contemporaneously with the specific compound employed; and like factors well known in the medical arts.

The total daily dose of the compounds of this invention administered to a human or other animal in single or in divided doses can be in amounts, for example, from 0.01 to 50 mg/kg body weight or more usually from 0.1 to 25 mg/kg body weight. Single dose compositions may contain such amounts or submultiples thereof to make up the daily dose.

In general, treatment regimens according to the present invention comprise administration to a patient in need of such treatment from about 10 mg to about 1000 mg of the compound(s) of this invention per day in single or multiple doses.

The compounds of the present invention described herein can, for example, be administered by injection, intravenously, intra-arterial, subdermally, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously; or orally, buccally, nasally, transmucosally, topically, in an ophthalmic preparation, or by inhalation, with a dosage ranging from about 0.1 to about 500 mg/kg of body weight, alternatively dosages between 1 mg and 1000 mg/dose, every 4 to 120 hours, or according to the requirements of the particular drug. The methods herein contemplate administration of an effective amount of compound or compound composition to achieve the desired or stated effect. Typically, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention will be administered from about 1 to about 6 times per day or alternatively, as a continuous infusion. Such administration can be used as a chronic or acute therapy. The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with pharmaceutically excipients or carriers to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. A typical preparation will contain from about 5% to about 95% active compound (w/w). Alternatively, such preparations may contain from about 20% to about 80% active compound.

Lower or higher doses than those recited above may be required. Specific dosage and treatment regimens for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health status, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity and course of the disease, condition or symptoms, the patient's disposition to the disease, condition or symptoms, and the judgment of the treating physician.

Upon improvement of a patient's condition, a maintenance dose of a compound, composition or combination of this invention may be administered, if necessary. Subsequently, the dosage or frequency of administration, or both, may be reduced, as a function of the symptoms, to a level at which the improved condition is retained when the symptoms have been alleviated to the desired level. Patients may, however, require intermittent treatment on a long-term basis upon any recurrence of disease symptoms.

When the compositions of this invention comprise a combination of a compound of the Formula described herein and one or more additional therapeutic or prophylactic agents, both the compound and the additional agent should be present at dosage levels of between about 1 to 100%, and more preferably between about 5 to 95% of the dosage normally administered in a monotherapy regimen. The additional agents may be administered separately, as part of a multiple dose regimen, from the compounds of this invention. Alternatively, those agents may be part of a single dosage form, mixed together with the compounds of this invention in a single composition.

The said “additional therapeutic or prophylactic agents” includes but not limited to, immune therapies (eg. interferon), therapeutic vaccines, antifibrotic agents, anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids or NSAIDs, bronchodilators such as beta-2 adrenergic agonists and xanthines (e.g. theophylline), mucolytic agents, anti-muscarinics, anti-leukotrienes, inhibitors of cell adhesion (e.g. ICAM antagonists), anti-oxidants (eg N-acetylcysteine), cytokine agonists, cytokine antagonists, lung surfactants and/or antimicrobial and anti-viral agents (e.g. ribavirin and amantidine). The compositions according to the invention may also be used in combination with gene replacement therapy.

Combination and Alternation Therapy for HBV

It has been recognized that drug-resistant variants of HIV, HBV and HCV can emerge after prolonged treatment with an antiviral agent. Drug resistance most typically occurs by mutation of a gene that encodes for a protein such as an enzyme used in viral replication, and most typically in the case of HIV, reverse transcriptase, protease, or DNA polymerase, and in the case of HBV, DNA polymerase, or in the case of HCV, RNA polymerase, protease, or helicase. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the efficacy of a drug against HIV infection can be prolonged, augmented, or restored by administering the compound in combination or alternation with a second, and perhaps third, antiviral compound that induces a different mutation from that caused by the principle drug. The compounds can be used for combination are selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, TLR modulators such as TLR-7 agonists or TLR-9 agonists, therapeutic vaccines, immune activator of certain cellular viral RNA sensors, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, distinct capsid assembly modulator, antiviral compounds of distinct or unknown mechanism, and combination thereof. Alternatively, the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, or other parameter of the drug can be altered by such combination or alternation therapy. In general, combination therapy is typically preferred over alternation therapy because it induces multiple simultaneous stresses on the virus.

Preferred compounds for combination or alternation therapy for the treatment of HBV include 3TC, FTC, L-FMAU, interferon, adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, telbivudine (L-dT), valtorcitabine (3′-valinyl L-dC), β-D-dioxolanyl-guanine (DXG), β-D-dioxolanyl-2,6-diaminopurine (DAPD), and β-D-dioxolanyl-6-chloropurine (ACP), famciclovir, penciclovir, lobucavir, ganciclovir, and ribavirin.

Although the invention has been described with respect to various preferred embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto, but rather those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications may be made therein which are within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Abbreviations

Abbreviations which may be used in the descriptions of the scheme and the examples that follow are: Ac for acetyl; AcOH for acetic acid; AIBN for azobisisobutyronitrile; BINAP for 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl; Boc₂O for di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate; Boc for t-butoxycarbonyl; Bpoc for 1-methyl-1-(4-biphenylyl)ethyl carbonyl; Bz for benzoyl; Bn for benzyl; BocNHOH for tert-butyl N-hydroxycarbamate; t-BuOK for potassium tert-butoxide; Bu₃SnH for tributyltin hydride; BOP for (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris(dimethylamino)phospho-nium Hexafluorophosphate; Brine for sodium chloride solution in water; BSA for N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide; CDI for carbonyldiimidazole; CH₂Cl₂ for dichloromethane; CH₃ for methyl; CH₃CN for acetonitrile; Cs₂CO₃ for cesium carbonate; CuCl for copper (I) chloride; Cul for copper (I) iodide; dba for dibenzylidene acetone; dppb for diphenylphos-phinobutane; DBU for 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene; DCC for N,N′-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide; DEAD for diethylazodicarboxylate; DIAD for diisopropyl azodicarboxylate; DIPEA or (i-Pr)2EtN for N,N,-diisopropylethyl amine; Dess-Martin periodinane for 1,1,1-tris(acetyloxy)-1,1-dihydro-1,2-benziodoxol-3-(1H)-one; DMAP for 4-dimethylamino-pyridine; DME for 1,2-dimethoxyethane; DMF for N,N-dimethylformamide; DMSO for dimethyl sulfoxide; DMT for di(mmethoxyphenyl)-phenylmethyl or dimethoxytrityl; DPPA for diphenylphosphoryl azide; EDC for N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide; EDC HCl for N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride; EtOAc for ethyl acetate; EtOH for ethanol; Et₂O for diethyl ether; HATU for O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′,-tetramethyluronium Hexafluoro-phosphate; HCl for hydrogen chloride; HOBT for 1-hydroxybenzotriazole; K₂CO₃ for potassium carbonate; n-BuLi for n-butyl lithium; i-BuLi for i-butyl lithium; t-BuLi for t-butyl lithium; PhLi for phenyl lithium; LDA for lithium diisopropylamide; LiTMP for lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinate; MeOH for methanol; Mg for magnesium; MOM for methoxymethyl; Ms for mesyl or —SO₂—CH₃; Ms₂O for methanesulfonic anhydride or mesyl-anhydride; MTBE for t-butyl methyl ether; NaN(TMS)₂ for sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide; NaCl for sodium chloride; NaH for sodium hydride; NaHCO₃ for sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate; Na₂CO₃ for sodium carbonate; NaOH for sodium hydroxide; Na₂SO₄ for sodium sulfate; NaHSO₃ for sodium bisulfite or sodium hydrogen sulfite; Na₂S₂O₃ for sodium thiosulfate; NH₂NH₂ for hydrazine; NH₄HCO₃ for ammonium bicarbonate; NH₄Cl for ammonium chloride; NMO for N-methylmorpholine N-oxide; NaIO₄ for sodium periodate; Ni for nickel; OH for hydroxyl; OsO₄ for osmium tetroxide; PTSA for p-toluenesulfonic acid; PPTS for pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate; TBAF for tetrabutylammonium fluoride; TEA or Et₃N for triethylamine; TES for triethylsilyl; TESCl for triethylsilyl chloride; TESOTf for triethylsilyl trifluoro-methanesulfonate; TFA for trifluoroacetic acid; THF for tetrahydrofuran; TMEDA for N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene-diamine; TPP or PPh₃ for triphenyl-phosphine; Troc for 2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbonyl; Ts for tosyl or —SO₂—C₆H₄CH₃; Ts₂O for tolylsulfonic anhydride or tosyl-anhydride; TsOH for p-tolylsulfonic acid; Pd for palladium; Ph for phenyl; POPd for dihydrogen dichlorobis(di-tert-butylphosphinito-κP)palladate(II); Pd₂(dba)₃ for tris(dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium (0); Pd(PPh₃)₄ for tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium (0); PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ for trans-dichlorobis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II); Pt for platinum; Rh for rhodium; rt for room temperature; Ru for ruthenium; TBS for tert-butyl dimethylsilyl; TMS for trimethylsilyl; or TMSCl for trimethylsilyl chloride.

Synthetic Methods

The compounds and processes of the present invention will be better understood in connection with the following synthetic schemes that illustrate the methods by which the compounds of the invention may be prepared. These schemes are of illustrative purpose, and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Equivalent, similar, or suitable solvents, reagents or reaction conditions may be substituted for those particular solvents, reagents, or reaction conditions described herein without departing from the general scope of the method of synthesis.

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared via several different synthetic strategies and routes from a variety of phenyl, 5- and 6-membered heteroaryl or fused bicyclic aryl or heteroaryl precursors using the reactions that are known to those skilled in the art. In one strategy, specific aryl or heteroaryl moieties in the target molecules are connected together via suitable organometallics catalyzed cross-coupling reactions from properly functionalized aryl or heteroaryl precursors. In another strategy, one specific aryl or heteroaryl moieties in the target molecules are constructed from a properly functionalized intermediate and precursor with other aryl/heteroaryl rings in place.

As illustrated in Scheme 1, wherein X, A, Y and R are as defined previously for formula I; LG₁, LG₂ and LG₃ at each occurrence are each independently selected from halogen, triflate, azido, cyano, alkenyl, or alkynyl, pentafluorophenoxyl, 4-nitrophenoxyl; and M is an organometallic reagent including but not limited to boronic acid/ester, organotin or organozinc moiety. An optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl 1-1 reacts with various optionally substituted azole 1-2 to provide a variety of extended key azole intermediates 1-3, under a reaction coupling condition of Suzuki, Stille, Negishi or the like known to those skilled in the art (see reviews: A. Suzuki, Pure Applied Chem., 1991, 63, 419; A. Suzuki, Handbook of Organopalladium Chemistry for Organic Synthesis, 2002, 1, 249; A. Anastasia, et al., Handbook of Organopalladium Chemistry for Organic Synthesis, 2002, 1, 311). Optionally a further substitution of 1-3 such as bromination can provide intermediate 1-4 with a proper coupling group LG such as bromide. 1-4 is then cross-coupled with partners 1-5 using similar chemistry described above to afford advanced intermediates 1-6; which reacts with H—R (H is connected with nitrogen in R) by a nucleophilic displacement optionally in the presence of a palladium catalyst to afford a compound of Formula (I). It should be appreciated that the chemistry just described above may be variable to switch the coupling partners at certain steps to afford the same or isomeric target molecule.

As a general approach shown in Scheme 2, wherein L₁, L₂ and L₃ at each occurrence are each independently a functional group including but not limited to carboxylic acid, amide, aldehyde, ketone, α,β-unsaturated ketone, α-halogenated ketone, hydroxy, amino, alkenyl or alkynyl, the middle azole moiety A of intermediate 1-6 can be constructed from its advanced precursor 2-3 containing proper functional groups via specific azole ring formations including but not limited to a series of condensation, dehydration, addition, and dipolar cyclization. Intermediate 2-3 can be formed by reaction(s) such as ester formation, amide formation, amidate/imidate formation, or aldol reaction of properly functionalized 2-1 and 2-2 which may be commercially available or prepared by simple transformations such as halogenation, saponification, hydrolysis, hydrogenation, reduction, and oxidation.

As a specific example shown in Scheme 2a, bromoketone 2-1a reacts with carboxylic acid 2-2a in the presence of a suitable base such as TEA or DIPEA in acetonitrile to provide ester intermediate 2-3a, which is heated with excess NH₄OAc in a proper solvent such as toluene or xylene to afford an advanced imidazole intermediate 1-6a. It should be noted a switch of the bromoketone in 2-1a and carboxylic acid in 2-2a to reaction partners as 2-1a′ and 2-2a′ will lead to an isomeric imidazole 1-6a′.

A specific example for a pyrazole synthesis is shown in Scheme 2b. Ketone 2-1b may react with aldehyde 2-2b under an aldol condition such as NaOH in MeOH to provide α,β-unsaturated ketone 2-3b, which may be further epoxidized to 2-4b with H₂O₂ under basic condition (NaOH in MeOH). 2-4b may be reacted with hydrazine to afford the desired pyrazole intermediate 1-6b.

Another specific example is shown in Scheme 2c. aniline 2-1c reacts with carboxylic acid 2-2c in the presence of a condensation reagent, such as HATU, or EDCI and a suitable base such as TEA or DIPEA in a proper solvent to provide desired amide 1-6c, It should be noted a switch of reactive groups, such as the amino in 2-1c and carboxylic acid in 2-2c, to reaction partners 2-1c′ and 2-2c′ will lead to an isomeric amide 1-6c′.

The strategy and chemistry described above for the synthesis of monocyclic azoles may be generally used similarly to synthesize some compounds of the present invention containing a fused bicyclic azole moiety. As shown in Scheme 3, wherein XA represents an optionally substituted fused bicyclic azole system (3-1) which may be commercially available or prepared similarly by simple transformation as described above. Intermediate 3-1 can be coupled with coupling partner 1-5 using the cross-coupling reaction conditions described above to afford 3-2. The reaction selectivity of LG₁ over LG₂ may be fine-tuned by choosing an optimal catalyst and/or solvent or intrinsic reactivity difference of these groups. 3-3 can be further converted to the compound of Formula Ia using similar chemistry as discussed above.

Similarly as shown in Scheme 4, wherein AY is an optionally substituted fused bicyclic azole system (4-1), which may be commercially available or prepared similarly by simple transformation as described above. 4-1 may be properly substituted such as bromide (with Bra or NB S) to give coupling intermediated 4-2, which can be coupled with an organometallic species 1-1 to give an extended polycyclic azole 4-3. The latter can be further converted to the compound of Formula Ib using similar chemistry as discussed previously.

Alternatively as shown in Scheme 5, the fused bicyclic azole moiety may be constructed from suitably substituted precursors 5-1 and 5-2 to provide 5-3 through reactions including but not limited to ester formation, amide formation, amidate/imidate formation, and aldol reaction. An intramolecular cyclization reaction of the functional group L₃ with ring X or Y in 5-3 can afford the desired fused bicyclic system targets 3-2a and 4-3a through a reaction or combination of reactions including but not limited to dehydration, Friedel-Crafts reaction, and condensation.

Scheme 5a provides a specific example, where a suitable substituted aryl or heteroaryl 1,2-diamine 5-1a reacts with a suitably substituted carboxylic acid 5-2a in the presence of a dehydrating reagent such as EDCI or HATU to afford an amide 5-3a; which can be converted aryl or heteroarylimidazole system 3-2a-1 in the presence of acetic acid under an optionally elevated temperature.

Similarly by switching the condensation partners to 5-1b and 5-2b in the amide formation as shown in Scheme 5b, an isomeric aryl or heteroarylimidazole system 4-3a-1 can be synthesized using a similar procedures described above.

Yet alternatively as shown in Scheme 6, a bi-functionalized intermediate 6-1 can be prepared from the intermediate 2-2 with proper reagents via specific azole ring formation reactions including, but not limited to amide bond formation/dehydration or dipolar cyclization as well as other chemistry described for 1-6 in Scheme 2. These azole intermediates may be optionally further functionalized via halogenation reactions. Reactions of 6-1 with H—R and X-M sequentially (or by a reversed sequence) using similar procedures described above afford the target molecule I.

This strategy is specifically illustrated by for a synthesis of a bifunctionalized imidazole intermediate 6-1a, as shown in Scheme 6a. A carboxylic acid 2-2a is condensed with 2-aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride in the presence of EDCI and a proper base such as TEA to give the amide intermediate 6-2a, which is then treated with CBr₄/PPh₃ using procedures similarly to that described in literature (Organic Letters, 2004, 6, 926) to afford the bromoimidazole 6-1a.

The synthesis of the compounds containing an aminooxetanyl moiety

of the invention is described in Scheme 7. An arylamine or heteroarylamine 7-1 is condensed with oxetan-3-one in the presence of an acid such as acetic acid or p-TsA to give imine 7-2, which is treated with a nucleophilic 1-5 as described in Scheme 1 to afford advanced intermediate 7-3. The conversion of 7-3 to 7-4 can be realized by similar chemistry described above.

When A is

the preparation of compound 8-4 analogue to 1 is described below in Scheme 8. An aldehyde 8-1 is reacted with TMSCF₃ to give a trifluoroethyl alcohol 8-2, which is converted to a triflate by reacting with Tf₂O in the presence of base such as DIPEA, followed by displacement with amine X—NH₂ to afford the advanced intermediate 8-3. The conversion of 8-3 to 8-4 can be realized by similar chemistry described above.

It will be appreciated that, with appropriate manipulation and protection of any chemical functionality, synthesis of compounds of Formula (I) is accomplished by methods analogous to those above and to those described in the Experimental section. Suitable protecting groups can be found, but are not restricted to, those found in T W Greene and P G M Wuts “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, 3rd Ed (1999), J Wiley and Sons.

All references cited herein, whether in print, electronic, computer readable storage media or other form, are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety, including but not limited to, abstracts, articles, journals, publications, texts, treatises, internet web sites, databases, patents, and patent publications.

Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and such changes and modifications including, without limitation, those relating to the chemical structures, substituents, derivatives, formulations and/or methods of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Although the invention has been described with respect to various preferred embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto, but rather those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications may be made therein which are within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

The compounds and processes of the present invention will be better understood in connection with the following examples, which are intended as an illustration only and not limiting of the scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and such changes and modifications including, without limitation, those relating to the chemical structures, substituents, derivatives, formulations and/or methods of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1

-   Step 1a. To a stirred solution of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenol (15.9     g, 86.6 mmol) in THF (50 mL) and Tris-HCl buffer (50 mM, pH=9, 50     mL) was added a solution of 4-chloro-3-(chlorosulfonyl)benzoic acid     (22.0 g, 86.6 mmol) in THF (50 mL) slowly at rt. The pH value of the     mixture was adjusted to ˜9 by addition of aq. NaOH (2.5 M) and     stirred at rt overnight. After the pH of the solution was adjusted     to ˜7 (aq HCl, 1M), the bulk of organic solvent was removed. The pH     of the residue was adjusted to ˜1 (aq. HCl 1M). The desired product     precipitated out and was collected by filtration (29.6 g, 85.2%).     ESIMS m/z=401.05 [MH]. -   Step 1b. A mixture of step 1a (22.0 g, 54.7 mol),     2-bromo-1-(4-bromo-3-fluorophenyl)ethanone (16.1 g, 54.7 mmol) and     NaHCO₃ (9.2 g, 109.4 mmol) in MeCN (150 mL) and DMF (20 mL) was     stirred overnight at rt. After being concentrated, the crude residue     was diluted with EtOAc (500 mL), washed with brine (30 mL×3), dried     (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed     (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give the desired compound     as a white solid (24.0 g, 71.2%). -   Step 1c. The mixture of step 1b (2.5 g, 4.1 mmol) and NH₄OAc (4.7 g,     61.5 mmol) in xylene (100 mL) was heated at 140° C. for 5 h under N₂     atmosphere. After being cooled to rt, the reaction was diluted with     EtOAc (500 mL), washed with brine (50 mL×2), dried (Na₂SO₄) and     concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed (slica, ethyl     acetate/petroleum ether) to give the desired compound as a white     solid (1.4 g, 57.8%). ESIMS m/z=597.0, 599.0 [M+H]⁺. -   Step 1d. To a stirred mixture of step 1c (30.0 mg, 0.050 mmol) and     exo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol (31.9 mg, 0.251 mmol) in DMF     (0.50 ml) was added DIPEA (0.088 ml, 0.502 mmol). The resulting     reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. for 1 h. After being cooled to     rt, the reaction was diluted with ethyl acetate (20 mL), washed with     brine (10 mL×2), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The crude residue     was chromatographed (silica, eluent: 0→8%, MeOH in DCM) to give the     title compound (17 mg, 63%). ESI-MS m/z=540.02, 542.02 [M+H]⁺.

Example 2

The title compound was prepared from the compound from step 1c and nortropin using procedures similar to that described in steps 1d. ESIMS m/z=540.02, 542.02 [M+H]⁺.

Example 3

To a stirred mixture of step 1d (100.00 mg, 0.185 mmol) and (t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-alanine (52.5 mg, 0.277 mmol) in DCM (6.0 mL) and DMF (0.5 mL) was added EDC (44.3 mg, 0.231 mmol) and DMAP (45.2 mg, 0.370 mmol) at rt. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 2 h before it was diluted with dichloromethane (30 ml) and washed with brine (10 mL×2). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The crude residue which was chromatographed (silica, eluent: 0→8% MeOH in DCM) to give the title compound (120 mg, 91%). ESI-MS m/z=711.13, 713.14 [M+H]⁺.

Example 4

The compound from example 3 (70 mg, 0.098 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (4N HCl solution, 2.0 mL) at 0° C. The reaction was then slowly warmed up to rt in 30 min. The solvent was removed to give the title compound as the HCl salt (66 mg, 99%). ESI-MS m/z=611.09, 613.09 [M+H]⁺.

Example 5

The title compound was prepared from the compound from step 1c and 5-azaspiro[2.5]octan-8-ol using procedure similar to that described in steps 1d. ESIMS m/z=538.00, 540.00 [MH].

Example 6

-   Step 6a. A solution of 4-chloro-3-(chlorosulfonyl)benzoic acid (1.3     g, 5.10 mmol) in thionyl chloride (7.44 mL, 102 mmol) was heated at     75° C. for 12 hours. After being cooled, the reaction was     concentrated and the crude product was used directly in the next     step without further purification. -   Step 6b. To a solution of crude compound from step 6a (349 mg, 1.275     mmol) in toluene was added 3,4,5-trifluoroaniline (206 mg (1.40     mmol). The solution was stirred at 90° C. for 5 hours. After being     cooled, the reaction was concentrated and the crude product was used     directly in the next step without further purification. -   Step 6c. To a solution of exo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol     hydrochloride (200 mg, 1.22 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL) at 0° C.     was added 2,6-lutidine (427 μL, 3.67 mmol) and     tert-butyldimethyl-silyl triflate (421 μL, 1.83 mmol). The reaction     was stirred at rt for 30 minutes before was partitioned     (EtOAc-water). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The crude product was used directly in the next step     without further purification. ESIMS m/z=242.24 (M+H)⁺. -   Step 6d. To a solution of crude compounds from step 6b (150 mg, 0.4     mmol) and step 6c (140 mg, 0.6 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) was added DIPEA     (100 μL). The solution was stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour. After being     cooled, the mixture was partitioned (EtOAc-water). The organic layer     was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue was     chromatographed (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give the     desired compound (85 mg, 36%) as a white solid. ESIMS m/z=587.147,     589.142 (M−H)⁻. -   Step 6e. To a solution of compound from step 6d (85 mg, 0.144 mmol)     in DCM (1 mL) in methanol (1 mL) was added conc. HCl (2 drops). The     solution was stirred at rt for 1 hour before it was concentrated.     The crude residue was chromatographed (silica,     methanol/dichloromethane) to give the title compound as an off-white     solid (41 mg, 71%) ESIMS m/z=473.075 (M−H)⁻.

Example 7

-   Step 7a. To a solution of nortropin (200 mg, 1.22 mmol) in     dichloromethane (6 mL) at 0° C. was added 2,6-lutidine (427 μL, 3.67     mmol) and tert-butyldimethylsilyl triflate (421 μL, 1.83 mmol). The     reaction was stirred at rt for 30 minutes before was partitioned     (EtOAc-water). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The crude product was used directly in the next step     without further purification. ESIMS m/z=242.25 (M+H)⁺. -   Step 7b. The title compound was prepared from the compounds of step     6b and steps 7a using procedures similar to that described in steps     6d and 6e. ESIMS m/z=473.070, 475.059 [M+H].

Example 8

-   Step 8a. To a stirred mixture of product from step 1a (50 mg, 0.124     mmol) and 4-bromo-3-fluoroaniline (28.3 mg, 0.149 mmol) in DMF (0.5     mL) was added HATU (56.7 mg, 0.149 mmol) and DIPEA (0.11 mL, 0.62     mmol) at 0° C. The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min before     ice (5 g) was added, followed by DCM (30 mL). The organic layer was     washed with brine (×2), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The crude     residue was passed through a short silica gel column and was used     for next step without further purification. ESI-MS m/z=571.93,     573.94 [MH]. -   Step 8b. To a stirred mixture of compounds from step 8a (15 mg,     0.026 mmol) and exo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol hydrochloride     (8.54 mg, 0.052 mmol) in DMF (0.50 ml) was added DIPEA (0.023 ml,     0.131 mmol). The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C.     for 1 h. After being cooled, the reaction was diluted with ethyl     acetate (30 mL) and washed with brine (×2). The organic layer was     dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The crude product was     chromatography (silica eluent: 0→8% MeOH in DCM) to give the desired     product (7.2 mg, 54%, 2 steps). ESI-MS m/z=515.01, 517.01 [MH].

Example 9

The title compound was prepared from compound of step 6b and 5-azaspiro[2.5]octan-8-ol using procedure similar to that described in step 6d. ESIMS m/z=473.05, 475.05 (M−H)⁻.

Intermediate 1

-   Step Intermediate 1a. A mixture of 4-bromo-3-chlorobenzenamine (10.0     g, 48.5 mmol), cyclopropylboronic acid (4.2 g, 48.5 mmol),     Pd(dppf)Cl₂ (396 mg, 0.49 mmlo) and Cs₂CO₃ (47.4 g, 145.5 mmol) in     1,4-dioxane/H₂O (150 mL/20 mL) was stirred for 4 hours at 90° C.     before being cooled. It was diluted with DCM and washed with aq     NH₄Cl and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (silica, DCM/MeOH) to     give the desired compound as yellow oil (6.0 g, 73%). ¹H-NMR (CDCl3)     δ ppm: 6.80 (d, 1H), 6.72 (s, 1H), 6.52 (d, 1H), 3.64 (br, 2Hr),     2.05 (m, 1H), 0.93 (dd, 2H), 0.60 (dd, 2H). -   Step Intermediate 1b. A mixture of the compound from step     intermediate 1a (5 g, 30 mmol), tert-butylnitrite (3.09 g, 30 mmol)     and copper(I) bromide (4.29 g, 30 mmol) in acetonitrile (20 mL) was     stirred for 2 hours at 45° C. The resulting mixture was     concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (silica, DCM/MeOH) to     give the desired compound as yellow oil (3.0 g, 43.5%). ¹H-NMR     (DMSO-d6) δ ppm: 7.66 (d, 1H), 7.43 (dd, 1H), 6.98 (d, 1H), 2.09 (m,     1H), 1.01 (dd, 2H), 0.71 (dd, 2H). -   Step Intermediate 1c. A mixture of the compound from Step     intermediate 1b (2 g, 8.6 mmol),     4,4,4′,4′,5,5,5′,5′-octamethyl-2,2′-bi(1,3,2-dioxaborolane) (2.2 g,     8.6 mmol), Pd(dppf)Cl₂ (351 mg, 0.43 mmol) and potassium acetate     (2.5 g, 26 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (15 mL) was irradiated in a     microwave reactor for 2 hours at 120° C. The mixture was     concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (silica, DCM/MeOH) to     give the title compound as off-white solid (1.0361 g, 42.9%). GCMS     m/z=278.10, 280.10 [M]⁺. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ: 7.59 (s, 1H), 7.50 (d,     1H), 7.01 (d, 1H), 2.19 (m, 1H), 1.28 (s, 12H), 1.05 (m, 2H), 0.72     (m, 2H).

The desired intermediate 2, intermediate 3, and intermediate 4 were prepared from 3-bromo-4-chlorobenzenamine, 3-bromo-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine, or 4-trifluoromethyl-3-(bromo)benzenamine using procedures similar to that described in Example Intermediate 1.

Intermediate Analytical data # Structure GCMS m/z [M]⁺ ¹H-NMR δ ppm 2

278.10, 280.10 In CDCl₃: 7.51 (d, 1H), 7.35 (m, 2H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 1.33 (s, 12 H), 1.00 m, (2H), 0.74 (m, 2H). 3

312.20 In DMSO-d6: 7.68 (m, 2H), 7.36 (s, 1H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 1.30 (s, 12H), 1.08 (m, 2H), 0.77 (m, 2H). 4

312.10 In CDCl₃: 8.11 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d, 1H), 7.02 (d, 1H,) 2.22 (1H, m), 1.38 (m, 12H), 1.10 (m, 2 H), 0.81 (m, 2H),

Example 10

-   Step 10a. A mixture of compound from step 1a (10.0 g, 25 mmol),     2-aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (2.8 g, 30 mmol), HATU (11.4 g, 30     mmol) and DIPEA (9.7 g, 75 mmol) in 100 mL of MeCN was stirred for 2     hours at rt. The mixture was concentrated and chromatographed     (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give the desired compound     as yellow oil (6.0 g, 54.5%). -   Step 10b. A mixture of compound from step 10a (2.5 g, 5.7 mmol),     CBr₄ (9.4 g, 28.5 mmol) and PPh₃ (7.5 g, 28.5 mmol) in 100 mL of     MeCN was stirred for 3 hours at 60° C. before it was concentrated.     The crude residue was chromatographed (silica, ethyl     acetate/petroleum ether) to give the desired compound as yellow     solid (600 mg, 20.9%). ESIMS m/z=503.00 [M+H]⁺. -   Step 10c. To a stirred mixture of compound from step 10b (300.0 mg,     0.596 mmol) and exo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol hydrochloride (146     mg, 0.894 mmol) in DMF (2.0 ml) was added DIPEA (0.520 ml, 2.98     mmol) at rt. The reaction mixture was heated at 80° C. for 1 h     before being cooed. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl     acetate and washed with brine (×2). The organic layer was dried     (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed     (slica, MeOH/DCM) to give the desired compound (214 mg, 80%). ESI-MS     m/z=446.04, 448.01 [M+H]⁺. -   Step 10d. To a microwave reactor tube charged with intermediate 1     (30 mg, 0.108 mmol), compound from step 10c (30 mg, 0.067 mmol),     Cs₂CO₃ (70.2 mg, 0.215 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (1.0 ml) and water     (0.25 ml) was added Pd(dppf)Cl₂—CH₂Cl₂ (11.73 mg, 0.014 mmol). The     mixture was bubbled with nitrogen through a needle for 5 mins before     was irradiated in a microwave reactor at 90° C. for 30 mins. It was     concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed (silica,     MeOH/DCM) to give the title compound (21 mg, 61%). ESI-MS     m/z=518.12, 520.12 [M+H]⁺.     The title compounds 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 were prepared from the     compound of step 10c and intermediate 2, intermediate 3,     (3-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)boronic acid,     (4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)boronic acid, or intermediate 4,     respectively, using procedures similar to that described in step     10d.

Example Structure ESI-MS m/z, [M + H]⁺ 11

518.11, 520.11 12

552.14, 554.14 13

546.11, 548.10 14

546.11, 548.10 15

552.15, 554.14

Example 16

-   Step 16. To a solution of the compound from step 6b (1.00 g, 2.60     mmol) in DMF (13 mL) at rt was added     (1R,5S)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one hydrochloride (0.505 g, 3.12     mmol) and DIPEA (1.09 mL, 6.25 mmol). The resulting solution was     stirred at 80° C. for 30 minutes. The solution was partitioned     (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The residue was triturated to give the title compound     as a white solid (0.915 g, 74%). MS ESI (M−H)−471.06, 473.06.

Example 17

-   Step 17. To a solution of methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (551     mg, 1.544 mmol) in THF (3.8 mL) at 0° C. was added potassium     tert-butoxide (1.54 mL, 1.54 mmol, 1M in THF). The resulting     solution was warmed to rt then stirred 1 h. To this was added a     solution of the compound from step 16 (365 mg, 0.772 mmol) in THF     (3.8 mL). The resulting solution was stirred at rt for 1 h. The     solution was partitioned (EtOAc-NH₄C₁). The organic layer was dried     (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed     (silica, ethyl acetate/hexanes) to give the title compound as a     white solid (225 mg, 70%). MS ESI (M−H)−469.06, 471.06.

Example 18

-   Step 18. To a solution of the compound from step 17 (54 mg, 0.115     mmol) in THF (1 mL) and water (0.05 mL) was added OsO₄ (0.036 mL,     2.87 μmol, 2.5% in tBuOH) and NMO (20 mg, 0.172 mmol). The resulting     solution was stirred at rt for 18 h. The solution was partitioned     (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (silica,     acetone/hexanes) to give the title compound as a white solid (39 mg,     67%). MS ESI (M−H)−503.07, 505.06.

Example 19

-   Step 19. To a solution of the compound from step 17 (50 mg, 0.106     mmol) in THF (1 mL) at 0° C. was added borane-methyl sulfide complex     (0.106 mL, 0.212 mol, 2M in THF). The resulting solution was warmed     to rt then stirred for 18 h. To this was added water (0.2 mL) and     sodium perborate tetrahydrate (65 mg, 0.425 mmol). The resulting     solution was stirred at rt for 2 h. The solution was partitioned     (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (silica,     acetone/hexanes) to give the title compound as a mixture of 2     diastereomers as a white solid (37 mg, 71%). MS ESI (M−H)−487.07,     489.07.

Example 20

The title compound was prepared from compound of step 1c and 2-oxa-7-azaspiro[3.5]nonane using procedure similar to that described in step 1d. ESI-MS (M+H): 539.9, 541.9.

Example 21

The title compound was prepared from the compound from step 1c and 2-oxa-6-azaspiro[3.4]octane using procedure similar to that described in steps 1d. ESI-MS (M+H): 526.3, 528.3.

Example 22

The title compound was prepared from the compound from step 1c and 2-oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptane using procedure similar to that described in steps 1d. ESI-MS (M+H): 511.9, 513.9.

Example 23

-   Step 23a To a stirred solution of exo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol     hydrochloride (2.049 g, 12.52 mmol) and DIPEA (5.96 ml, 34.1 mmol)     in DMF (15 ml) was added 5-bromo-2-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride     (3.30 g, 11.38 mmol) at 0° C., the mixture was slowly rose to rt in     2 h and stirred at rt for 1 h. The solution was partitioned     (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The residue was used directly for next step. ESI-MS     (M+H): 380.0, 382.0. -   Step 23b. To a mixture of the compound from Step 23a (4.3 g, 11.30     mmol) and imidazole (1.922 g, 28.2 mmol) in DMF (15 ml) was added     TBSCl (2.043 g, 13.55 mmol) at 0° C. The resulting mixture was     stirred overnight at rt. The solution was partitioned (EtOAc-brine).     The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The     crude residue was chromatographed (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum     ether) to give the desired compound as a white solid (3.92 g, 70%     over 2 steps). ESI-MS (M+H): 494.1, 496.1.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.21 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (dd, J=8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.27 (dd, J=4.7, 2.8 Hz, 2H), 3.95 (td, J=10.6, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 1.97 (dd, J=8.3, 4.3 Hz, 2H), 1.83 (ddd, J=13.2, 5.9, 3.1 Hz, 2H), 1.77-1.60 (m, 4H), 0.83 (s, 9H), 0.00 (s, 6H).

-   Step 23c. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 23b (1.00     g, 2.02 mmol) in THF (30.0 ml) was added a solution of 2.5 M n-BuLi     (0.889 ml, 2.22 mmol) in hexanes at 78° C. and DMF (0.469 ml, 6.06     mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 78° C. for 30 minutes.     The solution was partitioned (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was     dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The crude residue was     chromatographed (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give the     desired compound as a white solid (250 mg, 28%). ESI-MS (M+H):     444.2, 446.2. -   Step 23d. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 23c (340     mg, 0.766 mmol) in DMF (8.0 ml) was added     trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane (654 mg, 4.60 mmol) at 0° C. The     resulting mixture was warmed up slowly to rt and kept for 30     minutes. The solution was partitioned (EtOAc-brine). The organic     layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The crude     residue was taken into next step without further purification.     ESI-MS (M+H): 586.1, 588.1. -   Step 23e. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 23d (90     mg, 0.154 mmol) in MeOH (4.0 ml) was added K₂CO₃ (212 mg, 1.535     mmol) at 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h.     The solution was partitioned (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was     dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The crude residue was     chromatographed (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give the     desired compound as a white solid (62 mg, 79%). ESI-MS (M+H): 514.2,     516.2. -   Step 23f. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 23e (50     mg, 0.097 mmol) in DCM (2 ml) was added Dess-Martin periodinane     (61.9 mg, 0.146 mmol) at 0° C. . The resulting mixture was stirred     at 0° C. for 1 h. The solution was partitioned between EtOAc and     Na₂S₂O₃ aqueous solution. The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄),     filtered and concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed     (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give the desired compound     as a white solid (40 mg, 80%). ESI-MS (M+H): 512.2, 514.2. -   Step 23g. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 23f (15     mg, 0.029 mmol) and 3,4,5-trifluoroaniline (10.77 mg, 0.073 mmol) in     toluene (1 mL) was added titanium(IV) isopropoxide (0.051 ml, 0.176     mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at reflux (120° C.) for     15 h. The mixture was cooled to rt. Then sodium     triacetoxyborohydride (18.63 mg, 0.088 mmol) was added. The mixture     was stirred at rt for 1 h. The solution was partitioned     (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed (silica, ethyl     acetate/petroleum ether) to give the desired compound as a white     solid (5 mg, 27%). ESI-MS (M+H): 643.2, 645.2. -   Step 23 h. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 23g (6     mg, 9.3 μmol) in MeOH (1.0 ml) was added a solution of 4N HCl (0.12     ml, 0.47 mmol) at 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C.     for 45 minutes. The solution was partitioned (EtOAc-brine). The     organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The     crude residue was chromatographed (silica, MeOH/DCM) to give the     title compound as a white solid (4 mg, 81%). ESI-MS (M+H): =529.1,     531.1.

1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d4) δ 8.30 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (dd, J=8.3, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.62-6.39 (m, 2H), 5.50 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.33-4.16 (m, 2H), 3.98 (dt, J=10.8, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 2.02-1.86 (m, 2H), 1.84-1.55 (m, 6H).

Example 24

-   Step 24a To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 23b (0.742     g, 1.50 mmol) in THF (9.0 ml) was added a solution of 1.6 M n-BuLi     (1.00 mL, 1.60 mmol) in hexanes at 78° C. and stirred for 30 mins.     2-Methyl-N-(oxetan-3-ylidene)propane-2-sulfinamide (315 mg, 1.80     mmol) in THF (6.0 mL) was added and the resulting mixture was     stirred at 78° C. for 30 minutes and slowly warmed up to rt. It was     quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and the mixture was partitioned     (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and     concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed (silica, ethyl     acetate/hexanes) to give the desired compound as a white solid (372     mg, 42%). ESI-MS (M+H): 591.21, 593.21. -   Step 24b. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 24a (0.192     g, 0.325 mmol) in THF (2.0 mL) was added a solution of 1M TBAF (0.39     mL, 0.39 mmol) in THF at 0° C. and stirred at rt for 4 h. The     solution was partitioned (EtOAc-brine). The organic layer was dried     (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The crude residue was     chromatographed (silica, MeOH/DCM) to give the desired compound as a     white solid (0.155 g, 100%). ESI-MS (M+H): =477.19, 479.19. -   Step 24c. To a mixture of the compound from Step 24b (0.155 g, 0.325     mmol) and imidazole (0.0553 g, 0.812 mmol) in DMF (1.0 mL) was added     TBDPSCl (0.107 g, 0.390 mmol) at rt. The resulting mixture was     stirred overnight at rt. The solution was partitioned (EtOAc-brine).     The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The     crude residue was chromatographed (silica, ethyl acetate/petroleum     ether) to give the desired compound as a white solid (0.200 g, 86%).     ESI-MS (M+H): 715.30, 717.30. -   Step 24d. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 24c (0.100     g, 0.140 mmol) in MeOH (1.0 mL) and ether (1.5 mL) at 20° C. was     added a solution of 2N HCl (0.50 ml in ether, 1.00 mmol). The     resulting mixture was stirred at 20° C. for 4 h and NH₃ (2 mL 7N in     MeOH, 14 mmol) was added. It was filtered, washed with 50% MeOH in     DCM and concentrated. The crude residue was chromatographed (silica,     MeOH/DCM) to give the desired compound as a white solid (0.070 g,     80%). ESI-MS (M+H): =611.32, 613.32. -   Step 24e. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 24d (0.050     g, 0.082 mmol), 5-bromo-1,2,3-triflurobenzene (0.017 g, 0.082 mmol),     Pd₂(dba)₃ I(0.019 g, 0.020 mmol), BINAP (0.0255 g, 0.041 mmol) and     sodium tert-butoxide (0.016 g, 0.164 mmol) in toluene (2 mL) was     degassed and stirred at 100° C. for 18 h. The mixture was     chromatographed (silica, EtOAc/hexanes) to give the desired compound     (0.021 g, 35%). ESI-MS (M+H): =739.20, 741.20. -   Step 24f. To a stirred solution of the compound from Step 24e (0.021     g, 0.028 mmol) in THF (1.5 ml) was added a solution of TBAF (0.050     ml 1M in THF, 0.050 mmol) at 0° C. and stirred at rt for 3 h. It was     concentrated, chromatographed (silica, hexanes/EtOAc) to give the     title compound as yellow solid (8.4 mg, 59%). ESI-MS (M+H): =501.12,     503.12.     Biological Activity

Methods: HepAD38 cells are maintained as previously reported (Ladner et al, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1997, 4, 1715). Briefly, cells are passaged upon attaining confluency in DMEM/F12 media in the presence of 10% FBS, Penn/Strep, 250 μg/mL G418, and 1 ug/ml tetracycline. Novel compounds are screened by first washing cells three times with PBS to remove tetracycline, and plating in 96 well plates at 35,000 cells/well. Compounds dissolved in DMSO are then diluted 1:200 into wells containing cells. Five days after compound addition, material is harvested for analysis. For an extended 8 day analysis, cells are plated and treated as described above, but media and compound are refreshed on d2 and d5 post initial treatment.

On harvest day, virion DNA is obtained by lysing with Sidestep Lysis and Stabilization Buffer and then quantified via quantitative real time PCR. Commercially available ELISA kits are used to quantitate the viral proteins HBsAg (Alpco) or HBeAg (US Biological) by following the manufacturer's recommended protocol after diluting samples to match the linear range of their respective assays. Irrespective of readout, compound concentrations that reduce viral product accumulation in the cell lysates or supernatants by 50% relative to no drug controls (EC₅₀) are reported; EC₅₀ ranges are as follows: A<1 μM; B 1-10 μM; C>10 μM.

TABLE 1 Summary of Activities Compd. HepAD38 Number EC₅₀ (μM) 1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 A 6 A 7 A 8 B 9 A 10 A 11 A 12 A 13 A 14 A 15 B 16 A 17 A 18 A 19 A 20 B 21 B 22 B 23 C 24 C

Compound toxicity is evaluated by seeding cells at 15,000 cells/well and treating with compound as described above. Three days after compound addition, cells are treated with ATPLite reagent and compound concentrations that reduce total ATP levels in wells by 50% relative to no drug controls (CC₅₀) are determined.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A compound represented by the formula below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R is

 m1 is 1, 2, or 3; m2 is 0, 1, or 2; m3 is 0, 1, 2, or 3; t at each occurrence is independently 0, 1, or 2; R₂₁ is halo, CN, —C₁-C₄-alkyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl or C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl; R₂₂ is halo, CN, or methyl; R₂₃ is halo, hydroxy, protected hydroxy, —CN, amino, protected amino, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, or —O-(hydroxy prodrug group); E at each occurrence is independently selected from —C(R₁₀)₂—,—N(R₁₀)—, O and S; R₁₀ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, —CN, —NO₂, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and -L₁-R₁; L₁ is —O—, —S—,—NR₁—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—,—OC(O)—,—C(O)N(R₁)—,—N(R₁)C(O)—,—OC(O)N(R₁)—,—N(R₁)C(O)O—,—N(R₁)C(O)N(R₁)—,—S(O)—,—S(O)₂—,—S(O)₂N(R₁)—, or —N(R₁)S(O)₂—; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl; alternatively, two adjacent R₁₀ groups are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form an olefinic double-bond; alternatively two geminal R₁₀ groups, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form —C(O)—, —C(═CHCR′)—, optionally substituted spiro C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, or optionally substituted spiro 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic group, where R′ is hydrogen or alkyl; alternatively two remote R₁₀ groups are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached and any intervening atoms to form an additional ring; wherein each substituted group is substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —OH, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl; C₂-C₁₂-alkenyl, protected hydroxy, —NO₂, —N₃, —CN, —NH₂, protected amino, oxo, thioxo, —NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkenyl, —NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NH-aryl, —NH-heteroaryl, —NH-heterocycloalkyl, -dialkylamino, -diarylamino, -diheteroarylamino, —O—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —O—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —O—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —O—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —O-aryl, —O-heteroaryl, —O-heterocycloalkyl, —C(O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —C(O)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —C(O)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —C(O)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —C(O)-aryl, —C(O)-heteroaryl, —C(O)-heterocycloalkyl, —CONH₂, —CONH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —CONH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —CONH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —CONH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —CONH-aryl, —CONH-heteroaryl, —CONH-heterocycloalkyl, —OCO₂—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —OCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —OCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —OCO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —OCO₂-aryl, —OCO₂-heteroaryl, —OCO₂-heterocycloalkyl, —CO₂—C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, —CO₂—C₂-C₈ alkenyl, —CO₂—C₂-C₈ alkynyl, CO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —CO₂-aryl, CO₂-heteroaryl, CO₂-heterocyloalkyl, —OCONH₂, —OCONH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —OCONH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —OCONH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —OCONH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —OCONH-aryl, —OCONH-heteroaryl, -OCONH-heterocyclo-alkyl, —NHC(O)H, —NHC(O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(O)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(O)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(O)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(O)-aryl, —NHC(O)-heteroaryl, —NHC(O)-heterocyclo-alkyl, —NHCO₂—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHCO₂—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHCO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHCO₂-aryl, —NHCO₂-heteroaryl, —NHCO₂-heterocycloalkyl, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(O)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(O)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(O)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(O)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(O)NH-aryl, —NHC(O)NH-heteroaryl, —NHC(O)NH-heterocycloalkyl, NHC(S)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(S)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(S)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(S)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(S)NH-aryl, —NHC(S)NH-heteroaryl, —NHC(S)NH-heterocycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)NH₂, —NHC(NH)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(NH)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)NH-aryl, —NHC(NH)NH-heteroaryl, —NHC(NH)NH-heterocycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHC(NH)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHC(NH)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHC(NH)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHC(NH)-aryl, —NHC(NH)-heteroaryl, —NHC(NH)-heterocycloalkyl, —C(NH)NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —C(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —C(NH)NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —C(NH)NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —C(NH)NH-aryl, —C(NH)NH-heteroaryl, —C(NH)NH-heterocycloalkyl, —S(O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —S(O)—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —S(O)—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —S(O)—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —S(O)-aryl, —S(O)-heteroaryl, —S(O)-heterocycloalkyl, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —SO₂NH—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —SO₂NH—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —SO₂NH—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —SO₂NH-aryl, —SO₂NH-heteroaryl, —SO₂NH-heterocycloalkyl, —NHSO₂—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —NHSO₂—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —NHSO₂—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —NHSO₂—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —NHSO₂-aryl, —NHSO₂-heteroaryl, —NHSO₂-heterocycloalkyl, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂SO₂CH₃, -aryl, -arylalkyl, -heteroaryl, -heteroarylalkyl, -heterocycloalkyl, —C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl, polyalkoxy, -methoxymethoxy, -methoxyethoxy, —SH, —S—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, —S—C₂-C₈-alkenyl, —S—C₂-C₈-alkynyl, —S—C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, —S-aryl, —S-heteroaryl, —S-heterocycloalkyl, and methylthio-methyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein one R₂₃ is selected from hydroxy, protected hydroxy, amino, protected amino, optionally substituted —C₁₋C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and —O-(hydroxy prodrug group); and the hydroxy prodrug group is phosphate, sulfate, or an acyl group derived from an amino acid.
 3. The compound of claim 1, represented by Formula (VIb), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m1 is 1, 2, or 3; m2 is 0, 1, or 2; n1 at each occurrence is independently 0 or 1; n2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1 or 2; R₂₁ is halo, CN, C₁-C₆ alkyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl and C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl; R₂₂ is halo, CN, —C₁-C₆ alkyl, or —C₁-C₆ alkoxy; and R₃₀ is hydrogen, a hydroxy protecting group or a hydroxy prodrug group.
 4. The compound of claim 1, represented by Formula (VII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein m1 is 1, 2, or 3; m2 is 0, 1, or 2; n1 at each occurrence is independently 0 or 1; n2 at each occurrence is independently 0, 1 or 2; R₂₁ is halo, CN, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, and optionally substituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl; R₂₂ is halo, CN, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, or optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkoxy; R₃₁ at each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, —CN, —NO_(2,) optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and -L₁-R₁; L₁ is —O—,—S—,—NR₁—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—,—OC(O)—,—C(O)N(R₁)—,—N(R₁)C(O)—,—OC(O)N(R₁)—,—N(R₁)C(O)N(R₁)—,—S(O)—, —S(O)₂—,—S(O)₂N(R₁)—, or —N(R₁)S(O)₂—; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted —C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkenyl, optionally substituted —C₂-C₈ alkynyl, optionally substituted —C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl; alternatively, two R₃₁ groups are taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached to form —C(O)—, optionally substituted spiro C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl or optionally substituted spiro 3- to 8-membered heterocyclic.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein each R₂₁ is independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl and cyclopropyl.
 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein

is selected from the groups below:


7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is selected from the groups below:

each of which is optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from R₁₀ and R₂₃.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is selected from the groups below:


9. The compound of claim 1, wherein m2 is 1 and R₂₂ is halogen.
 10. The compound of claim 9, wherein

is


11. A compound selected from the compounds set forth below or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: Compound Structure 6

7

8

9

16

17

18

19

20


12. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 13. A method of treating or preventing an HBV infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or a combination of compounds of claim 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising administering to the subject at least one additional therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, literature-described capsid assembly modulator, reverse transcriptase inhibitor, TLR-agonist, inducer of cellular viral RNA sensor, therapeutic vaccine, RNA interference (RNAi) or small interfering RNA (siRNA), and agents of distinct or unknown mechanism, and a combination thereof.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the compound and the at least one additional therapeutic agent are co-formulated.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein administering the compound allows for administering of the at least one additional therapeutic agent at a lower dose or frequency as compared to the administering of the at least one additional therapeutic agent alone that is required to achieve similar results in prophylactically treating an HBV infection in an individual in need thereof.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the subject is refractory to a compound selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, distinct capsid assembly modulator, inducer of cellular viral RNA sensor, therapeutic vaccine, RNA interference (RNAi) or small interfering RNA (siRNA), antiviral compounds of distinct or unknown mechanism, and combination thereof.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the administering of the compound reduces viral load in the individual to a greater extent compared to the administering of a compound selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, distinct capsid assembly modulator, inducer of cellular viral RNA sensor, therapeutic vaccine, RNA interence (RNAi) or small interfering RNA (siRNA), antiviral compounds of distinct or unknown mechanism, and combination thereof.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the administering of the compound causes a lower incidence of viral mutation and or viral resistance than the administering of a compound selected from the group consisting of a HBV polymerase inhibitor, interferon, viral entry inhibitor, viral maturation inhibitor, distinct capsid assembly modulator, inducer of cellular viral RNA sensor, therapeutic vaccine, RNA interence (RNAi) or small interfering RNA (siRNA), antiviral compounds of distinct or unknown mechanism, and combination thereof. 